What are some user interface examples for creating/editing menus?

Question

User interface

I'm currently working on a project that should include a menu builder.
Who what met interfaces for a similar functionality? The menu can be multi-level, branches can be created as regular links or as a selection from samples.
I would like to make the most convenient interface for users.

Thank you!

Answer 1

Web? - look at the online demo of Bitrix (there is definitely there, I can’t say that it’s very convenient, but it is).
Not a web - look at VS (VisualStudio), you can for 2010, 2008 and even 2005
I hope I understood the question correctly.

Answer 2

Convenience is a relative thing. Users, in principle, do not care whether it will be one way or another, in any case, they will either see this interface for the first time and learn to work with it from the beginning, or they will apply some learned patterns, and if your implementation will not be with them coincide, then they will be somewhat uncomfortable, then they will get used to it.
Now to implementation options.
1. Textarea
In it, the menu is stored in the form
* About #about
* Company #company
* Business #business
* Contact Info #contact_info
Where everything after # is an alias of the menu
item it will take a lot of time
Cons — you can seriously break something, ugly, requires some diligence
2. Tree
Analog can be found in Windows explorer or any similar programs in other operating systems
The biggest problem is the balance between functionality and readability. Functional elements should be at hand, and control through the right mouse button and context menus is not an obvious behavior. If you show them together with the elements of the tree, then you get an overload of information. Do not forget that you need to make it clear exactly where the new menu item will be added, and that it should be allowed to move around the tree. But, in principle, copying the behavior from the system will be a good option
Pros - less chance of error
Cons - much more time that will need to be spent on creating a large number of points or a global reorganization. Often non-obvious behavior of auxiliary elements or interface features
3. XML/json file
Similar to textarea, but with some protection against breakage.
You can combine approaches, for example, to quickly create children for a menu item, you can use textarea, and then work with it in two modes, both visual and text-level